Pressure mounts on PP to finalize state agreement in housing sector: "Majority public supports move and I hope CC.AA. will too"
In a fiery turn of events, Minister of Housing and Urban Agenda, Isabel Rodriquez, has outlined her push for a housing pact, urging the Popular Party to finally close the deal. This proposal comes directly from President Pedro Sánchez, who's been in talks with various autonomous communities ahead of the Conference of Presidents set to be held in Barcelona on Friday.
"The majority of society is on board, and I hope the autonomous communities will be too," Rodriquez shared in an interview on La hora de la 1. She clarified that this is a direct proposal not just to the autonomous presidents, but to the presidents themselves, most of whom belong to the PP, who she says insist on their competence in housing matters while allegedly expecting others to carry the load.
Rodriquez emphasized the need for cooperation in a field they argue the PP is competent in. She does, however, express some optimism in discussions with the autonomies due to the current price problem in territories like Andalusia or Madrid. "The PP's voters have kids and grandkids who can't afford housing, can't buy a house, or their rent consumes 100% of their salaries," she said.
The government's proposal includes tripling funding for public housing over the 2026-2030 period, reaching €7 billion, with the central state providing 60% and the autonomous communities covering the remaining 40%. Another crucial aspect of the plan is the commitment to protect the public housing stock for the next 15 years to prevent it from falling into private hands or investment funds, thus preserving this public asset and increasing the public housing offer to levels comparable to other EU countries.
The PP's Farcical Theater
Stepping out from her role, Rodriquez was incredibly critical of the scene enacted by businessman Victor de Aldama, involved in the Koldo case and the hydrocarbons plot, who suddenly appeared at the press conference of former socialist militant Leire Diez. Just as Diez was about to discuss audios implicating the Central Operational Unit (UCO) of the Civil Guard, Aldama crashed the party.
"I share the farce idea, but this farce is scripted by the PP," Rodriquez retorted, demanding that the PP take responsibility in the 'Kitchen' case.
Leire Diez and her crew: Following the drama, Rodriquez acknowledged Diez's actions -who describes herself as a "journalist" rather than a "leaker" for the socialists- as "reprehensible," but stressed that the PSOE is already taking action. However, she pointed out that it's striking that "whoever profits is the PP," who according to Rodriquez led the largest case of corruption and institutional abuse, currently in court with a minister and a state secretary already in prison.
"Isabel Rodriquez criticizes the Politics played by the Popular Party (PP), stating that their ongoing farce in the 'Kitchen' case is scripted by them. She urges the PP to take responsibility for their actions."
"In her push for a housing pact, Minister Rodriquez expresses concern about the PP's policy-and-legislation stance in housing matters, arguing that their voters, with children and grandchildren struggling to afford housing, are being failed by the current system."
